1 Kings 11:26-40
Summary for 1Kgs 11:26-40: 11:26-40 a Information about Solomon’s third adversary, Jeroboam son of Nebat, provides background for the division of the kingdom of Israel (chs 12–14 b).Summary for 1Kgs 11:27-28: 11:27-28 c Solomon noted the work ethic of Jeroboam during the repair of the city’s structures and put him in charge. Jeroboam’s status among the laborers may have made him aware of brewing discontent in northern sections of Solomon’s kingdom. Jeroboam showed leadership on this occasion, as well as during the empire’s division and reorganization of the northern tribes (12:12-19 d, 25-33 e). Unfortunately, he did not always use his abilities wisely and later proved unfaithful to the Lord (12:25–13:10 f; 14:14-16 g; 2 Kgs 17:21-23 h).
Summary for 1Kgs 11:29-39: 11:29-39 i The meeting between Jeroboam and the prophet Ahijah set in motion God’s judgment on the dynasty of Solomon. Ahijah reappears in the account of Jeroboam’s sick son (14:1-18 j). He authored an unpreserved work containing information about Solomon’s deeds (2 Chr 9:29 k).
Summary for 1Kgs 11:29-32: 11:29-32 l Ahijah’s symbolic tearing of his cloak into twelve pieces and giving ten of these pieces to Jeroboam symbolized God’s plans for Jeroboam and Israel following Solomon’s death (see thematic note for Prophetic Sign Acts at end of chapter). Ten of the tribes would defect; one tribe (Judah) would remain with Solomon’s heir. The twelfth tribe was probably Benjamin (see 1 Kgs 12:21 m). Benjamin consistently acted in tandem with Judah (see 2 Chr 11:3 n, 23 o; 14:8 p; 15:2-9 q; 17:17 r). Simeon, the other southern tribe, seems to have allied with the north (2 Chr 15:9 s; 34:6 t).
Summary for 1Kgs 11:34-39: 11:34-39 u Ahijah further described the coming division of the kingdom and delivered God’s offer of blessing and perpetuity to Jeroboam, who was required to obey the Lord in order to receive the offer. 11:34 v For the sake of my servant David: Although Solomon violated the terms of God’s covenant, God remained faithful in not revoking his promises to David (see also Ps 89:28-37 w).
11:36 x a lamp: David’s successors were to be living representatives of God’s covenant with David, and they were to shine as lights of God’s grace (15:4 y; 2 Kgs 8:19 z; 2 Chr 21:7 aa). They pointed to Jesus, the descendant of David, who is the light of the world (John 1:4-5 ab) and who fulfills God’s promises to David (Ezek 34:23-31 ac).
11:38 ad an enduring dynasty: Jeroboam had a great opportunity. God promised that if he was faithful and obedient to the Lord, his kingdom would be strong and long-lasting. However, he departed from God (12:25-33 ae; 14:10-18 af) and set Israel on a destructive spiritual path (2 Kgs 17:21-23 ag).
11:39 ah David’s descendant, Jesus, would later inherit his rightful throne, as stipulated in God’s promises to David (2 Sam 7:13 ai, 16-19 aj; Ps 89:35-37 ak), Abraham (Gen 17:1-8 al; Luke 1:67-79 am), and Judah (Gen 49:10 an). He has established a new covenant with God’s people, and he will reign forever (Jer 31:31-36 ao; Ezek 37:22-28 ap; 2 Cor 3:6 aq).
11:40 ar Solomon, probably aware of impending difficulty, tried to kill Jeroboam.
• King Shishak of Egypt later invaded Judah during the reign of Solomon’s son Rehoboam (14:25-26 as).
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